| Abstract: | The Z-scheme BiVO4/Ag/Ag2S photocatalyst was fabricated via a two-step route. The as-prepared samples were characterized by XRD, FE-SEM, HRTEM, XPS and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The results of PL and photocurrent response tests demonstrate that the ternary BiVO4/Ag/Ag2S composites had a high separation and migration efficiency of photoexcited carriers. As a result, the ternary photocatalyst exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity for decomposing Rhodamine B (RhB) under LED light (420 nm) irradiation. The results of trapping experiments demonstrate both h+ and ˙OH play crucial roles in decomposing RhB molecules. Additionally, the energy band structures and density of states (DOS) of BiVO4 and Ag2S were investigated via the density functional theory (DFT) method. Finally, a Z-scheme electron migration mechanism of BiVO4 → Ag → Ag2S was proposed based on the experimental and calculated results.The Z-scheme BiVO4/Ag/Ag2S photocatalyst was fabricated via a two-step route. |
